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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Anyone with experience of 6th Form at Chethams

9 replies

blueswallow · 31/01/2020 19:15

My DS loves music and wants to go to Chethams for 6th form.

He is applying for joint 1st study in Composition and Choral Studies. He also plays piano and violin but these are only at grade 8 standard, so he may not be of a high enough standard.

He has had an assessment audition and has been invited back for a main audition. I wondered if anyone has experience of the audition process and of what the school is like, particularly the sixth form.

I don't come from a musical background and don't know how to advise him and don't really know what to expect. In fact I didn't even know that specialist music schools existed a few months ago, when we started helping him look into routes into a future career in music.

We have been to visit the school which does give you a feel for the place, but you never really know what a place is like until you are on the inside. I would really welcome any advice.

OP posts:
user1471539385 · 03/02/2020 06:16

No experience of Chets, specifically, but as no one else seems to be jumping in, I’ll add my thoughts!
DD attends a specialist school under the MDS scheme, and it is a wonderful opportunity. It is very intense and fiercely competitive, and students need resilience by the bucket load. DD absolutely loves her school, and is very tough, so able to cope with the workload, the not-so-gentle correction from teachers and the feeling that you are constantly competing with your peers. Boarding almost three hours away from home is not for the feint hearted. She has made more progress in h

user1471539385 · 03/02/2020 06:20

(Sorry... not sure what happened!)

...her specialism than we ever thought possible, and is more determined than ever that it is what she wants to do for a living. She loves her school and values the opportunity she has been given. But, and it is a big but, we have seen some children struggle with the environment over the years.
I think you need to be sure it’s the right school and the right training system for you, and keep the mindset that if it doesn’t work, you will leave. You need a resilient child who is able to thrive under pressure and manage competition in a healthy way.
Good luck!

iNamechangedforthis123459 · 03/02/2020 10:37

We're in a similar position, main audition next month, although not for 6th form. Would love to hear other parents' views who have been through the audition process and/or have children at Chets.

Comefromaway · 03/02/2020 12:31

A friend's son is at Chets 6th Form. He is very happy there, much more so than he was at his good state school where he tended to hide his music.

He's now just got into his first choice music college for a degree.

My dd is in the Upper School of an MDS school (except she is DaDa funded). She didn't board and I agree with users comments, in Lower School certainly it's a hard life that doesn't suit all. At 6th form though I think it's a lot easier. Some get homesick but for dd it's just like she's gone to uni a couple of years early that's all.

ZakStarkey · 04/02/2020 20:28

Not many composition students, so competition wouldn’t be such a problem there. Mine are a lot younger, but love the school and I wouldn’t say that there is a lot of pressure at all. Mine are in lower school.
They are very busy with musical and academic commitments- but neither seems to mind this. The kids (on the whole) seem very happy, and I’ve only known 1 to leave during the 4 years that we’ve been there.

SwayingInTime · 15/02/2020 20:12

I would prefer mine to be a little more pressured Hmm. Only year 9 at the moment and probably not suited to sixth form there but if your child is only in year 11 and showing such an interest in and talent for choral studies and composition it's the prefect place for them I think.

Siriusmuggle · 15/04/2020 10:27

Hi. My son will be joining 6th form at Chet's in September. He's really looking forward to it. Did your son get a place?

Original poster
blueswallow · 15/04/2020 11:29

Hi. My son did get a place for the sixth form in September. He is absolutely thrilled and can't wait to start. I just hope schools re-open by September.

He is going to do joint first study in Composition and Choral studies and 2nd study in violin. He will just keep up his piano to support his music generally. He is also really excited to be taking A Level music technology as well as A Level music.

What is your son's area of study?

OP posts:
Siriusmuggle · 15/04/2020 11:44

I'm pinning everything on them being open by September!
Mine is first study horn and reluctant second study piano, his piano and singing exams were cancelled which is a shame. He's looking forward to keeping up the singing too.
A level wise it's music, history & English lit.
It's such an exciting thing for them to look forward too, I'd hate it to be delayed.

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